View full sizeThe Swampers at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in from the film "Muscle Shoals." (Magnolia Pictures)

TALLADEGA, Alabama -- The story of Muscle Shoals has made it all the way around the world, thanks to an acclaimed documentary released last year.

Everywhere it seems, except Alabama, said Daron K. Harris, who is organizing a special screening of the film in Talladega next month.

"This is really about Alabamians recognizing their culture, which has transformed American music and the world," said Harris, a native Alabamian who has spent 20 years in the music business associated with such names as James Brown and Roberta Flack.

The screening of the film "Muscle Shoals" will take place March 14 at 7 p.m. at Talladega's Historic Ritz Theatre on the square.

Director Greg "Freddy" Camalier's
111-minute documentary tells the story of Muscle Shoals' FAME Recording
Studios and Muscle Shoals Sound. The tracks recorded there include "Wild
Horses," "Tell Mama," "I'll
Take You There," "Night Moves" and "When a Man Loves a Woman."

The "Muscle Shoals" film features artists including Aretha
Franklin, Bono and Keith Richards, reflecting on the studios and the music made there.

Harris, who is organizing the event, said the screening will also feature Jimmy Johnson, a member of the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section and one of the "Swampers" shown in the movie.

Starting next week, businesses along the square in Talladega will begin displaying candid photos taken in the studio by Dick Cooper of the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. Cooper is also scheduled to appear at the event.

"Most of these photos have never been seen by the public before," Harris said.

Harris said he began organizing the event after seeing the film, which he called "the finest music documentary produced in the last 10 years." He felt inspired to take the story to different parts of Alabama, to show how the state continues to contribute to the music industry.

"We're really hoping for not only students and educators to come, but also filmmakers and musicians to fill the theatre with appreciation," he said. "Having Jimmy and Dick there to make the experience more interactive will hopefully add to the magic."

An after-party will follow the screening at the North Street Bar, with a free concert to follow.